Gordon Cullen Concise Townscape (GENUINE | Checklist)

He also critiqued modern planning’s failings: zoning, tower blocks in isolation, wide roads destroying enclosure, and lack of pedestrian scale.

In the center of the square stood a fountain. Around it, the buildings curved gently, embracing the space. Sterling felt a sense of safety. The buildings didn't just sit there; they turned their backs to the outside world and faced inward. This was Closure . It satisfied the human instinct to be protected, to be in a "room" without a ceiling. He sat on the edge of the fountain and felt, for a moment, like he belonged. gordon cullen concise townscape

Cullen’s own were critical to his teaching. He drew not the plan but the view , often including people and shadow to indicate scale and atmosphere. Sterling felt a sense of safety